The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee have filed a lawsuit against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, challenging the use of Veterans Affairs and Small Business Administration sites for voter registration.
NBC News reported that the lawsuit claims that the use of these sites for voter registration exceeds the authority of Whitmer and others, asserting that such designations should only be made with the Michigan Legislature's approval.
The lawsuit was filed on Monday in a federal court in Michigan. It names Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson among the defendants.
The primary issue is the designation of VA and SBA sites as voter registration agencies, which the Trump campaign and the RNC argue should fall under the sole authority of the Michigan Legislature.
According to the filing, "Under Michigan law, the authority to make such designations is held solely by the Legislature."
This statement underscores the Trump campaign's and the RNC's contention that Whitmer and Benson have overstepped their legal bounds.
The lawsuit alleges that the actions taken by Whitmer and Benson undermine election integrity by increasing the opportunity for ineligible individuals to register to vote. It also claims that these actions create confusion regarding the legality of these voter registration efforts.
Michigan, a state that Trump won in 2016 but lost to Joe Biden in 2020, is seen as crucial in the upcoming election.
The state's shifting political landscape has heightened the stakes for both parties. Trump has previously cast doubt on the integrity of elections and made unsubstantiated accusations about election security before the 2020 election.
The lawsuit states that the "SBA and VA’s continued unlawful operation as VRAs have caused economic, financial, and political injury to the Plaintiffs." It argues that the Trump campaign and the RNC have been forced to allocate additional resources and misallocate their scarce resources as a result.
The Trump campaign and the RNC are seeking a judgment that declares the designations of the VA and SBA sites as VRAs unlawful. They are also requesting a permanent injunction to prevent any future designations of VRAs without explicit authorization from the Michigan Legislature.
The lawsuit further claims that the actions of Whitmer and Benson have caused significant harm to the Trump campaign and the RNC. This includes economic, financial, and political injury, as well as the need to reallocate resources that could have been used elsewhere.
The lawsuit emphasizes that any designations of voter registration agencies should be made with the approval of the Michigan Legislature. This point is crucial to the Trump campaign's and the RNC's argument that Whitmer and Benson have exceeded their authority.
"The RNC and its members are concerned that Defendants’ failure to comply with Michigan statutes governing VRA designation undermines the integrity of elections," the suit claims. This statement highlights the broader implications of the lawsuit, suggesting that the actions of Whitmer and Benson could have far-reaching effects on election security.
As of the filing of the lawsuit, Whitmer's and Benson's offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment. This lack of response leaves the Trump campaign's and the RNC's allegations unchallenged in the public sphere, at least for the time being.
The lawsuit's focus on election integrity and the legality of voter registration efforts taps into broader national debates about the security and fairness of the electoral process. The Trump campaign's and the RNC's legal challenge reflects ongoing concerns about election procedures and the authority of state officials.
The Trump campaign and the RNC have filed a lawsuit against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and others, challenging the use of VA and SBA sites for voter registration.
They argue that such designations should be made with the approval of the Michigan Legislature and claim that Whitmer and Benson have exceeded their authority.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent any future designations of VRAs without legislative approval and highlights broader concerns about election integrity and the allocation of resources by the Trump campaign and the RNC.
